If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Recent Articles

Hottest Threads

Got Bashed in Wood Magazine march2014 page 74
After they tested it they stated it returned 20 times more dust than the oneida tested a year ago
Clear Vue returned more dust to particles then five single stage collectors tested last year
Ouch
Was there test wrong?
or
All the hype on...

My apologies in advance as I'm sure this topic has been covered elsewhere in the forum, but since the terms "glue" "wood" "best", and even "titebond" are used so much in this forum, I was unable to find a specific thread on this topic despite my attempts to search one out.
So I'm looking to...

This weekend I started working on what will be my new workshop. A 25x40 timberframe and plan on documenting it fairly thoroughly. If folks are interested, please let me know and I'd be happy to spend some time documenting it for folks here.
Cheers,
Brent

I spent 30 years as a computer programmer. I viewed myself as a blue collar worker in a white collar world. But various companies insisted on calling me a software engineer and it bugged me. To me, engineers are degreed and licensed like doctors and lawyers. Civil engineers put their stamp on...

Wondering if its worth getting one. Seems like it could keep some dust off the clothes, but that usually brushes off quite readily. The pockets might be helpful just for holding small things like marking knife, pencil, small ruler, square, etc.
There must be a reason why traditional woodworkers...

Hi all - I’m building a 112” x 44” walnut dining table with 10/4 boards for the top. I’m having a heck of a time running the 7”-11” boards through my 8” jointer an 12” planner. I’m using the method of partially flattening 8” of the face and then running through my planner using a base that supports...

Improving a Fireplace Wall with Cabinetry

Russell Hudson shows how woodworking can be used to dress up and renovate an otherwise uninteresting wall.

This house was constructed in the late 70's. The living room's long fireplace wall was made entirely of white cement 'bricks' with black mortar lines between, which was neither warm nor inviting--(much less good-looking!). The new owners wanted the entire wall faced with display and storage cabinetry to surround the fireplace, with a new mantle piece to match. The only thing we left exposed was the stone firebox surround and the hearth's stone cap, which ran the whole width of the room.

In this first photo you can see the wall being prepped (the original bluestone mantel and shelves chiseled off) and tape indicating the position of the new woodwork to be accomplished (mantle, wall panels and the outside edges of the cabinets left and right). This allowed us to get a sense of how it would look in both size and proportion.

The homeowners wanted well-articulated woodwork but with bold details, rather than fine decoration. The finished product should be somewhat masculine, including straight lines, and should be substantial. To accomplish this effect, we created block-like corbels for the mantle rather than columns. All of the surfaces were paneled, and a single, large rosette was machined into the face.

All surrounding wall surfaces were paneled as were the cabinet's side walls. These are true 'frame & panel' surfaces, rather than simply rectangles of applied molding, which is commonly seen in many installations today. Each of the panels sits 1/2" below the surrounding wall surface (frame) with the inside molding placed on the panel and rising 1/4" above the surrounding frame, providing a richer effect. We also chose to insert glass in the upper doors.

As you can see (comparing first picture to last), the tape helped indicate what the woodwork would look like when finished. These photos were taken before the homeowners personalized the space, filling it with books, pictures, art, crystal, and the painting they had in mind to hang above the fireplace. (I really should go back and take another picture now. Built-ins always look better when completely filled!)

As is often the case, they were pleased enough that they asked us to do two more projects for them. Their home is much cozier today.

I hope this article will provide some ideas for the rest of you woodworkers out there. Please find me on the forums and/or visit my home page, which is accessible under my name.

Outstanding! The design and workmanship is top notch. Great results. This is a huge improvement, and should really provide a high return on investment for the home owners. Thanks for sharing before and after photos too.

I really love the continuous hearth and the moulding on it. It just ties everything in. Did you ever consider leaving some of the brick exposed during the design phase? I'm glad you didn't. Good call, and excellent design.

Timing of my joining this group and reading this article is perfect, we're looking at a home with a very similar fireplace (brick), while your style wouldn't fit with the decor, it is very inspirational and helpful if we decide to buy that house. Excellent design and workmanship by the way -